Drug-test Positives Falling |
DRUG TESTINGNovember 1994 |
SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories reports that positive drug tests have declined for the first half of 1994, following a seven-year trend (SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories News Release, Aug. 4, 1994; CESAR FAX, Oct. 31, 1994).
7.8% of more than 1.8 million general workplace (non-safety sensitive transportation) tests were positive between January and June, down from 8.5% for that same period in 1993. There was an increase of 8.8% in the number of positive tests for marijuana in the general workplace between 1993 and 1994.
| Drug Category | Jan-June 1994 | Jan-June 1993 | Jan-June 1992 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marijuana | 43.3% | 39.8% | 40.0% |
| Cocaine | 24.3% | 25.0% | 26.5% |
| Benzodiazephines, class of tranquilizer: e.g., Valium or Librium | 11.5% | 13.0% | 12.7% |
| Opiates | 8.9% | 10.1% | 9.2% |
| Barbiturates | 4.5% | 4.5% | 4.9% |
| Propoxyphene (e.g. Darvon) | 1.8% | 2.0% | 2.3% |
| Methadone | 1.8% | 1.4% | 2.0% |
| Amphetamines | 3.1% | 3.5% | 1.7% |
| PCP | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Methaqualone | 0.02% | 0.05% | 0.05% |
| Year | Drug-Positive Rate |
|---|---|
| 1987 | 18.10% |
| 1988 | 13.60% |
| 1989 | 12.70% |
| 1990 | 11.00% |
| 1991 | 8.80% |
| 1992 | 8.76% |
| 1993 | 8.40% |
| 1994 (Jan.-June) | 7.80% |
[For more information, contact Tobey Gordon Dichter at SmithKline Beecham Clinical Laboratories, 1-800-877-7478.]